Thanks to its ever-increasing popularity Cartersville Medical Center will again present “Cartersville Has Heart” in February.

This is the third year for the event, which will be held Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clarence Brown Conference Center.

Headlining the event this year is former Biggest Loser Season 8 contestant Abby Rike.

Rike, author of “Working it Out, A Journey of Love, Loss and Hope,” will share her story of triumph over tragedy.

Ginger Tyra, director of marketing and public relations for Cartersville Medical Center, said Rike is the perfect example of how to choose to be happy and healthy in spite of your past circumstances.

“She can definitely speak to the importance of good nutrition and exercise, two key components for a healthy heart,” Tyra said.

“Cartersville Has Heart” has proven to be a positive venture for Cartersville Medical and its success of the event in the past has led to its expansion over the years said Tyra.

The first “Cartersville Has Heart” was held in the classrooms at Cartersville Medical Center in 2011 and Tyra said it was such an overwhelming success that the hospital really had no other choice than to move the event off campus last year.

Tyra said “Cartersville Has Heart” is a great way to learn how to be heart healthy.

“The purpose of “Cartersville Has Heart” is very simple and that is to raise awareness and educate our community about heart health and provide early heart attack care information,” Tyra said.

Tyra said the hospital is excited about offering this free event to the community.

“We believe, as the medical provider for our community, that it is our responsibility to educate our community about heart health,” Tyra said. “So, we offer the event free of charge, to better afford all individuals the opportunity to attend. Our staff really enjoys this event and the chance to interact with people and positively impact the health of our community.”

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